St. George's, Grenada  Addressing
delegates and observers to the 51st International Whaling Commission
meeting today, U.S. Commissioner D. James Baker urged the group
to better determine how global environmental changes may jeopardize
whale stocks throughout the world.

"The threats to whales from global
environmental change are extremely widespread, and appear to
be increasing," said Baker. "Issues such as increasing
levels of chemical contaminants, rising sea surface temperatures
and decreasing sea-ice coverage are problems that extend from
pole to pole, across most marine ecosystems, and, as a result,
affect all whale populations. We must determine more precisely
and urgently the potential risks of global environmental changes
on whales."

In a 20-minute multimedia presentation
to the group, Baker identified some of the potential impacts
of environmental change on whales and other cetaceans, including:

Chemical contaminants  There is
concern about the increasing concentrations of chemical contaminants
and heavy metals in the water column, sea-ice, sediments and
whale prey species. These contaminants may alter the food web,
decrease immune response, and increase sterility, bacterial infections,
and cancer in whales. For instance, although DDT was banned in
the 1970s, research results indicate that DDT concentrations
in some marine sediments and beluga whale tissue samples have
shown no significant decline. In addition, stranded beluga whales
from Canada's St. Lawrence estuary showed a rate of small intestinal
cancers much higher than that observed in all other animals and
humans.

Human health  There is rising concern
about human consumption of whale meat and other marine mammal
products that contain high levels of contaminants. Recent studies
have shown that PCB levels in some Arctic indigenous people were
higher than elsewhere in the world, and that PCBs appear to transfer
from mother to newborn, resulting in contamination levels higher
than acceptable for adults. In Greenland, where more beluga and
narwhal whales are consumed than anywhere else, 95 percent of
women there exceed the Canadian guideline limits for PCB contamination
of five parts per million.

Climate change  The increase in
greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, and the
correlating rise in global temperatures can cause sea levels
to rise as a result of thermal expansion of the oceans and melting
of ice. These changes may directly impact whales by altering
their habitat, changing reproductive rates and altering migration
routes and geographic ranges. Indirectly, these shifts in climate
can change the abundance, distribution and composition of cetacean
prey species. The best estimates, from the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change scientists, predict global temperatures
to increase by one to three degrees Celsius, and sea levels to
rise anywhere from 15 to 95 centimeters by 2100.

Ozone Depletion and Ultraviolet-B (UV-B)
Radiation -- In 1998, the largest ozone hole in recorded history
was measured over Antarctica, covering an area greater than 25
million square miles. Scientists expect the Arctic ozone hole
to peak in size between the years 2010 and 2019. Decreased stratospheric
ozone concentrations allow greater levels of biologically damaging
UV-B radiation to reach the Earth's surface. Increased exposure
of whales to UV-B radiation may directly impair whale vision,
lower reproductive success and immune response, and increase
the likelihood of disease. Indirectly, UV-B exposure may reduce
the survival and reproductive capacity of whale prey of zooplankton
and fish species.

Disease outbreaks  18,000 harbor
seals died as a result of morbillivirus infection in northwest
Europe in 1988, and a similar infection killed thousands of striped
dolphins in the Mediterranean Sea in 1990-1992.

"We must start now to establish baseline
data on the relationship between cetaceans and their environment
so that we may better understand the impact of future environmental
changes on whale populations, many already fragile as a result
of their depleted status," said Baker.

Baker suggested the IWC continue collaborating
with other international scientific bodies such as the Arctic
Council's Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP), the
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
(CCAMLR) and the Southern Ocean-International Global Ocean Ecosystem
Dynamics program (SO-GLOBEC), which are currently conducting
research on chemical contaminants, climate change and a number
of other issues.

Baker reminded delegates that the commission's
long-term financial support is needed in order to support the
Scientific Committee's efforts to adequately quantify and provide
recommendations to the commission on these threats. Funding will
enable the Scientific Committee to initiate research programs,
link its efforts to ongoing environmental change research programs
and invite scientists with relevant expertise to committee meetings.

"Ultimately, the most important step
the commission can take is to supplement the current IWC research
fund to ensure long-term financial support for research that
can clarify the impacts of environmental change on whales and
other cetaceans," said Baker.

In 1998, the IWC proposed that £100,000
be drawn from the commission's reserves to fund environmental
programs. Currently, the Scientific Committee has no budget earmarked
to study environmental issues. This year, Baker and others are
recommending £126,000 be appropriated next year to support
research on environmental concerns. Per last year's proposal,
£100,000 will come from the commission's reserves.

"With adequate long-term financial
support for research on the impacts of global environmental change
on cetaceans, many of the gaps in current research may be appropriately
addressed, and ultimately wiser management decisions will result
from more complete information," said Baker.

Established in 1946, the 40-member International
Whaling Commission is the global management authority for the
world's whale populations and is charged with providing for the
proper conservation of whale stocks. At last year's 50th International
Whaling Commission meeting in Oman, the United States raised
the issue of environmental threats by leading the passage of
a resolution that created a new agenda item on "Environmental
Concerns."

Notice to editors: To obtain a hard copy
of the multimedia presentation by fax or overnight delivery,
call the National Marine Fisheries
Service Public Affairs Office at (301) 713-2370.